Closure for containers



Dec. 8, 1964 E. DAVIDSON 3,160,269

CLOSURE FOR CONTAINERS Filed Nov. 30, 1961 \mmk V V/IA IIII INVENTOR. 5W 0A woso/v 3,169,269 Patented Dec. 8, 1964 3,166,269 @LGSURE FGR (IGNTAINERS Emil Davidson, Scarsdale, N.Y., assignor to Guild Mulder-s, Ind, Elmsiord, NY, a corporation of New York Filed Nov. 30, 1961, Ser. No. 156,043 it} Clahns. (Q1. 296-152) The present invention relates generally to closures for containers, and in particular to a combined closure and sealing assembly for a bottle including an internal wand or applicator, such as is employed in the packaging of various types of cosmetic preparations, including without limitation, nail polish, rouge, mascara and the like.

In my copending application Serial No. 225,621, filed Sept. 24, 1962, which is a continuation-in-part of application Serial No. 110,674, filed May 17, 1961, now abandoned and application Serial No. 177,519, filed March 15, 1962 and now abandoned there is disclosed a composite closure which includes an outer rigid cap of metal or plastic which may have the desired appearance and properties to impart the dress to the closure and an insert or liner of a resilient material, such as polyetheylene, which is constructed to provide the necessary fluid-tight seal to the neck of the container or closure and which includes threads for joining the closure to a container. This composite structure exhibits the required rigidity for closing the neck opening, yet has the internal resiliency required to provide a fluid-tight seal. In the several illustrative embodiments illustrated in said copending application, the cap of the composite closure is fabricated of a relatively rigid plastic or metal and has wall thicknesses of substantially uniform section to provide the desired external appearance for the closure, while the insert is fabricated of a resilient or yieldable material and i provided with a depending internally threaded skirt and a sealing gland to provide the necessary fluid-tight threaded closure to the externally threaded neck of the bottle.

Practical experience with this type of composite closure has indicated that it would be advantageous to provide the internal threads for the closure on the outer cap since this would make the dimensional tolerances between the cap and insert less critical, yet exhibit the numerous advantages of the composite closure. It is important to provide an inner seal which effectively provides sealing function in response to the tightening of the closure on the container. Such function may be advantageously provided by a hollow conical member of resilient material inserted and held into the neck of the container. However, such a structure is available only by the use of a two-piece closure.

Broadly, it is an object ofthe present invention to provide an improved composite closure of the aforesaid general construction. Specifically, it is within the contemplation of the presentirrvention to provide a combined closure and seahng assembly wherein the composite properties of a two-part closure will be realized in a structure which for all external intents and purposes physically resembles a conventional internally threaded cap.

In accordance with an illustrative embodiment demon strating objects and features of the present invention, there is provided a combined closure and sealing assembly for a bottle which includes a neck having external threads. The assembly comprises a cap including a top wall and a depending body wall terminating in an open end. Internal threads are provided on the body wall extending inwardly from the open end and terminating at an intermediate location spaced from the top wall. The internal threads on the body wall are dimensioned to engage the external threads on the neck. Depending from the top wall there may be formed a socket-forming wall which terminates substantially at the intermediate location to receive an external handle or the like.

An insert of yieldable material is mounted in the socket and includes sealing means for sealing engagement with the neck. These sealing means include a frusto-conical section of the insert of a relatively thin wall construction which is received within the neck of the container. An applicator is mount- ;ed on the depending end of the frusto-conical section of the insert such that the applicator projects from the cap for insertioninto the bottle when the cap is engaged with the neck of the bottle. By control of the dimension of the internal threads on the body wall, it is possible to attain the required sealing with the external threads on the neck of the bottle. In turn, the insert may be fitted into the socket with substantially no clearance between the outer surface of the insert and the adjacent surface of the cap such that the sealing means on the insert will establish the necessary sealing engagement with the neck of the bottle.

The above brief description, as well as further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of several illustrative embodiments in accordance With the present invention, when taken in conjunction wlth the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view, partially sectioned, showing the cap and insert of a combined closure and sealing assembly demonstrating features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical section of the combined closure and sealing assembly shown engaged on the neck of a bottle;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view similar to FIG. 2, showing a first modification in accordance with the present invention; and, b

FIG. 4 is a sectional view similar to FIGS. 2 and 3, showing a second modification in accordance with the present invention.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a combined closure and sealing assembly, generally designated by the reference numeral 19, which is adapted to be engaged on a bottle or container 12 including a neck 14 which bounds a dispensing opening 16 and is provided with external threads 18. The bottle or container 12 may take any convenient form, although the same has been illustrated as being of glass and particularly adapted to receive a cosmetic preparation, such as nail polish. However, it will be appreciated that the invention will find application as a closure for different types of containers and dispensers, including semi-rigid squeeze bottles, deformable tubes and the like.

The combined closure and sealing assembly 10 in this illustrative embodiment is in two parts and includes a cap 26 fabricated of a rigid material and an insert 22 fabricated of a flexible and yieldable material which may be assembled with the cap by a force fit requiring virtual destruction of the assembly 1% to remove the insert 22 from the cap 29.

Specifically, the cap 24 may be molded from a relatively rigid synthetic plastic material such as polystyrene, urearesin and the like and is formed with walls of substantially uniform thickness which precludes shrinkage during the molding operation and assures that the cap will have the desired outer appearance. The cap 20 includes a top wall 24 and a depending substantially cylindrical body Wall 26 which is of gradually increasing cross-section and terminates in an open end 28. g The body wall 26 is provided with internal threads 29 which extend inwardly from the openend 28 and terminate at an intermediate location spaced from the top wall 24. The internal threads 29 are of a pitch to threadedly engage the external threads 18 on the neck 14 of the container or bottle i2. Depending from the top Wall 24 internally of and concentrically of the body wall 26 is a socket-forming forming Wall 39 is formed with an upwardly-opening, internally-threaded socket 32 which terminates in a base.

grasping of the removable closure assembly which carries a brush for use in the application of nail polish. v

The socket-forming wall 30 includes a depending anbodiment of combined closure and sealing assembly which more simply illustrates the present invention. Due to the identity of the structure illustrated in this embodinular extension 40 which projects below the base wall 34 a of the socket and provides a continuation of the socketforming wall 30. The depending annular extension ad, which serves as an abutment-as will subsequently be described, terminates inwardly of the internal threads 29, with the socket-forming wall 30 and the extension 40 cooperating with the coextensive portion of the body wall 26 to define an annular socket or cavity 42 there'- between.

The insert or liner 22 is fabricated of a resilient and yieldable moldable elastomeric material, such as polyethylene, polypropylene or like relatively resilient and readily molded plastic materials. The liner or insert 22 includes a cylindrical mounting member or wall 4 which is dimensioned to be accommodated with a force fit within the annular socket 42 in the cap 29. outer diameter of the upstanding cylindrical mounting wall or member44 is dimensioned in relation to the outer diameter of the socket or cavity 42 defined by the inner surface of the cylindrical body wall 25 to provide for a degree of radial compression of the mounting member 44 and a corresponding tight fit between the insert 22 andthe cap 2% when assembled as shown in FIG. 2.

Below the mounting wall 44 there extends a frustoconical sealing section 46 of relatively thin-wall construction (as is the rest of the liner. 22) which forms a tapered resilient sealing member. As may be readily understood, the thin wall construction of the sealing section 46 forms a hollow 47 which provides greater resistency for the sealing member 46 when engaged with the container neck 14 to seal same. Integral with and depending from the sealing member 46 is a wand or applicator body 48 which is provided at its lower end with a brush-receiving bore 50 into which is mounted the ends of a group of bristles making up a brush 52.

.Respective abutment means are provided on the insert 22 and on the cap 20 for interlocking the'assembly of the Specifically, the

insert 22 and cap (see FIG. 2) which interlocking I,

supplements the force fit between the mounting member 44 and the outer bounding wall of the socket or cavity 42. Specifically, the base wall 54 of the mounting member 44 from which the sealing member 46 depends is formed internally thereof with an annular seat 55 which is dim'ens'ioned to receive the depending annular abutment on the socket-forming wall 3%} after assembly of the ins'ert 22 on the cap 20.. Further, the base wall 54 provides an annular abutment shoulder which is press fitted past an inwardly projecting annular abutment flange 58 on thetcap 26 at the intermediate location between the internal threads 29 and the socket or cavity 42. r In making the actual assembly, when theabutment shoulder 54- is force fitted past the annular flange 53 on the cap 20 in response to insertion of the mounting member 44 into the socket 42, the yieldable mounting member 44 is radially compressed with radial compression forces being transmitted to the cooperating depending abutment 40 and the complementary'annular seat 56 such as to rigidify the assembly. The dimensional tolerances in the actual assembly are held close enough to require a virtual destruction of the combined closure and sealing assembly 10 after insertion of the mounting member 44 into the socket 42 thereby rendering the assembly unitary for all intents and purposes.

. Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a further emposes.

ment and of that illustrated'in FIGS. 1 and 2, except for the deletion of the plume 38 and the socket-forming wall 30, this embodiment will be described by corresponding reference numerals as part of a 10% series. The cap 12% includes a top wall 124 and a' depending substantially cylindrical body wall 126 which terminates in an open end 128 and is provided with internal threads 129 which terminate at an intermediate location spaced from the top wall 124 at which the annular inwardly directed abutment flange 15:3 is formed.

The insert 122 is substantially identical to the insert 22 and includes a mounting member 144, a base wall 154 providing an annular abutment shoulder, a depending, thin-wall frustoconical sealing member 146 including a hollow space 147 and an integral application 148 carrying a brush (not shown). The assembly of the liner 122' to the cap 12% is made in the same fashion as previously described, however there is no inter-engagement internally of the insert with a depending extension of the cap. However, due to the force fitting of the mounting member 144' within the body wall 126 of the cap 120, and the cooperating shoulder 15% and annular abutment flange 158, the final assembly is substantially unitary for all intents and purposes.

It will be appreciated that cap appears externally as if it were a solid body. Actually it is hollow. The hollow 147 provides the advantageous resiliency for the sealing member and the volume within the walls 144 provides a substantial savings in material. It should be noted that the cap 126) provides a thin-wall constructional relatively low cost and produces a finished item which appears externally as if it were solid. The hollow frusto-conical construction of the sealing member 146 provides superior sealing means within a low cost, two piece cap.

Turning now to FIG. 4, there is shown a further embodiment of my sealing and closure assembly, generally designated by the reference numeral 210, which demonstrates further features of the present invention. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and FIG. 3 and has been designated as part ofa 200 series. This embodimetn is specifically designated to provide for a separable mounting for the Wand or applicator 248, although it is noted that once the assembly is completed the applicator to all intents and purposes become-s unitary with the'fca'p 220 and the insert 222. It will be appreciated that various types of applicators will find useful application with the instant combined closure and sealing assembly and the separate assembly of the applicator to the insert and/or the cap 220 will facilitate the interchangeable assembly of various types of applicators. In this embodiment, the cap 220 is identical in construction to the cap illustrated in FIG. 3 except that a depending integral socketforming w-all 230is molded centrally of and depending from the top wall 224 to provide a downwardly opening applicator-receiving bore or socket 232 therein. The cross section of the socket 232 is dimensioned in relation to the cross section of the applicator 248 to provide a force fit therebetween, which force fit is enhanced by the radial compression which is transmitted from the annular seat 256 in the insert 222 to the lower end of the socket-forming wall 230. Of course the sealing member 246 terminates at its lower end in an opening of a diameter .to receive and accommodate the-applicator 248. However, whenthe assembly is completed, the three parts, namely the applicator 248, the insert or liner 222 and the cap 220 become unitary for all intents and pur- In the several illustrative embodiments according to the present invention, it will be appreciated that the primary sealing force between the closure and the neck of the bottle or container is provided between the external threads on the neck of the container and the internal threads on the cap. It is relatively simple matter in accordance with standard molding techniques to provide for the necessary threaded interengagement between the cap and the container at this location. Of course the cap may be fabricated of a rigid plastic material to provide for the requisite structural strength. Due to the substantially uniform section of the Walls thereof the cap Will have the desired external appearance and not be subject to the diificulties of different rates of residual shrinkage which occur incident to a molding of heavier and thin sections in the same part. On the other hand, the insert having the resilient sealing member having a hollow frusto-conical sealing member and due to its yieldable and flexible characteristics, can accommodate to irregularities in the neck of a bottle and provides the necessary seal between the closure and bottle. Further, the assembly of the insert and the cap merely requires the insertion of the mounting member of the insert into the corresponding socket or cavity formed in the cap; and once the mounting member is driven into place, with the use of a relatively simple jig or fixture, the assembly becomes unitary yet exhibits the composite properties of the flexible insert and of the relatively rigid cap.

A latitude of modification and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances certain features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner'consistent with the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

What I claim is:

1. A multiple-part closure for a container including a neck having external threads comprising a relatively rigid cap including a top wall and a depending substantially cylindrical body wall terminating in an open end, means internally of said cap adjacent said open end providing a cap thread for threaded engagement with said external threads on said neck, an insert of a yieldable and flexible material force fitted into said cap intermediate said cap thread and said top wall and including thin-wall, frusto-conical sealing means disposed in spaced confronting relation to said cap thread for sealing engagement with said neck, an applicator, and means mounting said applicator on at least one of said cap and said insert such that said applicator projects from said cap for insertion into said container when said cap is engaged on said neck.

2. A combined closure and sealing assembly for a bottle including a neck having external threads comprissing a relatively rigid cap including a top wall and a depending body wall terminating in an open end, internal threads on said body wall extending inwardly from said open end and terminating at an intermediate location spaced from said top ,wall, said internal threads being dimensioned to engage said external threads on said neck, a substantially cylindrical socket-forming wall depending from said top wall in coaxial relation to said body wall and terminating substantially at said intermediate location, said socket-forming wall being disposed radially inwardly of said body wall and cooperating with said body wall to form an annular socket therebetween and inwardly of said intermediate location, an insert of yieldable and flexible material force fitted into said annular socket and including a dependingthin-wall frusto conical sealing means in spaced confronting relation to said internal threads for sealing engagement with said neck, and abutment means on said insert, said socketforming wall and said body wall for interlocking the assembly of said cap and said insert.

3. A combined closure and sealing assembly for a bottle including a neck having external threads comprising a relatively rigid cap including a top wall and a de- 6 pending body wall terminating in an open end, internal threads on said body Wall extending inwardly from said open end and terminating-at an intermediate location spaced from said top wall, said internal threads being dimensioned to engage said external threads on said neck, a substantially cylindrical socket-forming wall depending from said top Wall in coaxial relation to said body wall and terminating substantially at said intermediate location, said socket-forming Wall being disposed radially inwardly of said body wall and cooperating with said body wall to form an annular socket therebetween and inwardly of said intermediate location, an insert of yieldable and flexible material force fitted in said annular socket and including a depending thin-wall frusto-conical sealing means in spaced confronting relation to said internal threads for sealing engagement with said neck, abutment means on said insert, said socket-forming wall, and on said body wall for interlocking the assembly of said cap and said insert, an applicator, and means mounting said applicator on said cap such that said applicator projects from said cap for insertion into said bottle when said cap is engaged with said neck.

4. A combined closure and sealing assembly for a .bottle including a neck having external threads comprising a relatively rigid cap including a top wall and a depending substantially cylindrical body Wall terminating in an open end, internal threads on said body wall extending inwardly from said open end and terminating at an intermediate location spaced from said top wall, said internal threads being dimensioned to engage said external threads on said neck, a substantially cylindrical socket-forming wall depending from said top wall and terminating substantially at said intermediate location,

said socket-forming wall cooperating with said body wall to form an annular socket therebetween and inwardly of said intermediate location, an insert of yieldable and flexible material force fitted into said annular socket and including a depending thin-wall frusto-conical sealing member in spaced confronting relation to said internal threads for sealing engagement with said neck, abutment means on said insert and socket-forming wall and on said insert and body wall respectively for interlocking the assembly of said cap and said insert, an applicator, and means mounting said applicator on said closure such that said applicator projects from said closure for insertion into said bottle when said cap is engaged with said neck, said insert and said cap cooperating to form an internal volume Within said closure extending at least partially within said frusto-conical sealing member for imparting resiliency thereto.

5, A combined closure and sealing assembly for a bottle including a neck having external threads comprising a relatively rigid cap including a top wall and a depending body Wall terminating in an open end, internal threads on said body wall extending inwardly from said open end and terminating at anintermediate location spaced from said top wall, said internal threads being dimensioned to engage said external threads on said neck, a socket-forming wall depending from said top wall and disposed coaxially of an radially inwardly of said body wall, said socket-forming wall terminating substantially at said intermediate location and cooperating with said body wall to form a socket therebetween and extending inwardly of said intermediate location, an insert of yieldable and flexible material including a mounting wall force fitted into said annular socket and including a'depending frusto-conical sealing member disposed coaxially of and in spaced confronting relation to said internal threads for sealing engagement with said neck, abutment means on said insert and socket-forming wall and on said insert and body wall respectively for interlocking the assembly of said cap and said insert, an applicator, and means mounting said applicator on said insert coaxially of said sealing member and depending therefrom such that said applicator projects downwardly 7 from said cap for insertion into said bottle when said cap is engaged with said neck.

6. A combined closure and sealing assembly for a bottle including a neck having external threads com-' prising a relatively rigid cap including a top wall and a depending substantially cylindrical body wall terminating in an open end, internal threads on said body wallextending inwardly from said open end and terminating at an intermediate location spaced from said top wall, said internal threads being dimensioned to engage said external threads on said neck, an inwardly directed annular abutment flange on said body wall at said intermediate tor, and means mounting said applicator on said insert. coaxially of said sealing member and depending therefrom such that-said applicator projects downwardly from said cap for insertion into said bottle when said cap is engaged with said neck.

7. A combined closure and sealing assembly for a bottle including a neck having external threads comprising a relatively rigid cap including a top wall and a depending body wall terminating in an open end, internal threads on said body wall extending inwardly from said open end and terminating at an intermediate location spaced from said top wall, said internal threads being dimensioned to engage said external threads on said neck, said body wall between said intermediate location and said top wall defining a socket, an insert of yieldable and flexible material including a mounting wall force fitted into said socket and including a depending frusto-conical sealing member disposed coaxially of and in spaced confronting relation to said internal threads for sealing engagement with said neck, and an applicator extending coaxially of said sealing member and depending therefrom such that said applicator projects downwardly from said cap for insertion into said bottle when said cap is engaged with said neck.

8. A combined closure and sealing assembly for a bottle including a neck having external threads comprising a relatively rigid cap including a top wall and a depending body Wall terminating in an'open end, internal threads on said body wall extending inwardly from said open end and terminating at an intermediate location spaced from said top wall, said internal threads being dimensioned to-engage said external threads on said neck, said body wall between said intermediate location and said top wall defining a socket, an insert of yieldable and flexible material including a mounting wall force fitted into said's'ocket and including a depending frustoconical sealing member disposed coaxially of an in spaced confronting relation to said internalthreads for sealing engagement with said neck, and an applicator extending coaxially of said sealing member and depending therefrom such that said applicator projects downwardly from said cap for insertion into said bottle when said cap is engaged with said neck, the large diameter end of said frusto-conical member being integral with said mounting wall and the smaller diameter end of said frusto-conical member being integral with said depending applicator.

9. The combination with a bottle including a neck terminating in a neck top wall and having external threads and an internal bore meeting said neck top wall at a junction of a combined closure andsealing assembly for said bottle comprising a relatively rigid cap including a top wall and a depending body wall terminating in an open end, internal threads on said body wall extending inwardly from said open end and terminating at an intermediate location spaced from said top wall, said internal threads being dimensionedto engage said external threads on said neck, said body wall between said intermediate location and said top wall defining a socket, an insert of yieldable and flexible material including a mounting wall force fitted into said socket and a depending hollow and thin-walled frusto-conical sealing member disposed coaxially of and in spaced confronting relation to said internal threads and dimensioned for sealing engagement With said neck adjacent said junction, and means operatively connected to said mounting wall and to said sealing member for suspending the latter such that said sealing member may yield and accommodate to any irregularities in said neck adjacent said junction and provide a seal about said neck adjacent said junction.

10. The combination with a bottle including a neck terminating in a neck top wall and having external threads and an internal bore meeting said neck top wall at a junction of a combined closure and sealing assembly for said bottle comprising a relatively rigid cap including a top Wall and a depending body wall terminating in an open end, internal threads on said body Wall extending inwardly from said open .end and terminating at an intermediate location spaced from'said top wall, said internal threads being dimensioned to engage said external threads on said neck, said body wall between said intermediate location and said topwall defining'a socket, an insert of yieldable and flexible material including a mounting wall force fitted into said socket and a depending hollow andthin-walled trusts-conical sealing member disposed coaxially of and in spaced confronting relation to said internal threads and dimensioned for sealing engagement with said neck adjacent said junction, and means operatively connected to said mounting wall and to said sealing member for suspending the latter such that said sealing member may yield and accommodate to any irregularities in said neck adjacent said junction and provide a seal about said neck adjacent said junction, the suspending means including an annular thin-walled flange integral with said mounting wall and said sealing member, the internal I threads on said cap engaging the external threads on said bottle when said cap is engaged on said bottle to force said sealing member against said neck to provide said seal, said flange being spaced from said neck top Wall when said cap is engaged on said bottle such that said sealing member may yield and accommodate to said irregularities in said neck.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Great Britain Nov. 26, 1958 

1. A MULTIPLE-PART CLOSURE FOR A CONTAINER INCLUDING A NECK HAVING EXTERNAL THREADS COMPRISING A RELATIVELY RIGID CAP INCLUDING A TOP WALL AND A DEPENDING SUBSTANTIALLY CYLINDRICAL BODY WALL TERMINATING IN AN OPEN END, MEANS INTERNALLY OF SAID CAP ADJACENT SAID OPEN END PROVIDING A CAP THREAD FOR THREADED ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID EXTERNAL THREADS ON SAID NECK, AN INSERT OF A YIELDABLE AND FLEXIBLE MATERIAL FORCE FITTED INTO SAID CAP INTERMEDIATE SAID CAP THREAD AND SAID TOP WALL AND INCLUDING THIN-WALL, FRUSTO-CONICAL SEALING MEANS DISPOSED IN SPACED CONFRONTING RELATION TO SAID CAP THREAD FOR SEALING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID NECK, AN APPLICATOR, AND MEANS MOUNTING SAID APPLICATOR ON AT LEAST ONE OF SAID CAP AND SAID INSERT SUCH THAT SAID APPLICATOR PROJECTS FROM SAID CAP FOR INSERTION INTO SAID CONTAINER WHEN SAID CAP IS ENGAGED ON SAID NECK. 